Failure detection and locating system and engine containing the same

• US 8,886,582 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2011
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArianeGroup SAS
• Original Assignee: Snecma (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Le Gonidec, Serge, Bornert, Pierre, Lemaitre, Alban
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, ALAN S
• Application Number:
  US13/581,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20130046713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 706/45
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 9/96 characterised by specially adapted arrangements for testing or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/80 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/96 Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2270/09 to cope with emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0262 Confirmation of fault detection, e.g. extra checks to confirm that a failure has indeed occurred
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0278 Qualitative, e.g. if-then rules; Fuzzy logic; Lookup tables; Symptomatic search; FMEA

Abstract

A system for detecting and locating failures that occur in a complex system includes elements (CAP, MOD_VAL, MOD_DP, MOD_FD) for detecting and locating a failure affecting at least one sub-system of the complex system. The system also includes an element (MOD_PD) for making a decision on any action to be taken in the event of such detection. A rocket engine can be monitored with this system.

Claims

1. A system for detecting and locating failures in a complex system, comprising:

at least one sensor (CAP) for delivering a signal (S_CAP) representing the functioning of a component (COMP) of said complex system;

at least one module (MOD_VAL) validating the proper functioning of said at least one sensor (CAP) capable of analysing and comparing said signal (S_CAP) and of delivering;

at least one validated signal (SIG_VAL) associated with a first order confidence level (NC1);

or

a message (MSG_CAP) representing a failure of said at least one sensor (CAP);

a failure detection module (MOD_DP) capable of detecting a failure affecting at least one sub-system (SS1, SS2) or a component (COMP) from said validated signal (SIG_VAL) and, if it is the case, of generating at least one raw failure message (MSG_PB) comprising raw information (INF_PB) on said failure and a second order confidence level (NC2);

a data merging module (MOD_FD) which, at least from said raw failure message (MSG_PB) or from said message (MSG_CAP) representing a failure of at least one sensor (CAP), is capable of generating a consolidated failure message (MSG_PC) comprising consolidated information (INF_PC) on a failure affecting at least one sub-system (SS1, SS2) of said complex system (SC) and a third order confidence level (NC3); and

a decision-making module (MOD_PD) capable of obtaining said consolidated failure message (MSG_PC) from a database and of deciding at least one corrective action in relation to the diagnosed failure that is to be taken in relation to;

said consolidated information on a failure (INF_PC);

said third order confidence level (NC3); and

a level of seriousness (NG) of said failure.

2. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein the action to be taken consists of stopping the complex system, of deactivating, activating or reactivating a component, of modifying its point of functioning or of sending a request to a regulating system.

3. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein said decision-making module (MOD_PD) comprises means for obtaining said level of seriousness (NG) and for identifying said action to be triggered in a database (BC).

4. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein said decision-making module comprises means for evaluating said level of seriousness (NG).

5. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein said action consists of acting on at least one component of said complex system.

6. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein said action consists of waiting for at least one other consolidated failure message (MSG_PC) to confirm whether said action must or must not be taken.

7. The failure detection and locating system according to claim 1, wherein said decision-making module (MOD_PD) uses a fuzzy logic technique.

8. A rocket engine, comprising:

a failure detection and locating system according to claim 1.